The 98th running of the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse on August 2nd was a spectacular event, drawing 42,316 enthusiastic spectators and achieving a record betting handle of $49,651,341 across 13 races, five of which were stakes. The day’s excitement kicked off with Ewing’s win in the G2 Saratoga Special, marking a notable stakes triumph for part-owner Griffin Johnson, also known as “Influencer,” who had been spotlighted at the Jockey Club roundtable just days before.
Not long after, Miguel Clement Burn continued his dominance on the turf with a strong performance in the G1 Fourstardave, securing the second G1 win for his father, trainer Christoph Clement. Meanwhile, Riley Mott, son of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, celebrated his first G1 stakes victory with World Beater in the Saratoga Derby. The closing highlight was BBN Racing’s Kilwin, who surged to victory under jockey Jose Ortiz in the G1 Test for trainer George Arnold.
The star of the day was undoubtedly Sierra Leone, the three-year-old champion and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, who clinched the Whitney Stakes by one length in the prestigious “Win and You’re In” race at Del Mar for older horses. Photographs from the event, credited to Coglian and Nilla, captured memorable moments including celebrations with jockeys, trainers, and large crowds.
This report originally appeared in the Paulick Report on August 5, 2025.
Fan Take: Whitney Day showcased the thrilling talent and fierce competition that define top-tier horse racing, highlighting new stars and cementing legacies. For fans, it signals a vibrant future for the sport, where rising heirs and seasoned champions continue to captivate audiences and drive the excitement forward.
